Ethical Trading
The global market can be very efficient, but human rights groups and trade unions are concerned that, in some parts, international standards of working are inconsistent, low and poorly implemented. The issue of ethical trading is made complex both by the distances involved and because different political and regulatory regimes, some often under-developed, apply in different places.
Our approach
We get the best results through co-operation and sharing knowledge. We have published and distributed self-help guides in 11 different languages as well as detailed briefing notes on the employment legislation of 60 countries. We hold one-day local language workshops with suppliers on our requirements in a wide range of countries.
We also provide practical tuition on ethical auditing to enable our employees and suppliers become accredited 'social auditors' trained to recognise and act on areas of their operations which fall short of expectations.
Supplier performance against our Global Sourcing Principles and the ETI base code is assessed through a system of audits. The majority of these audits are supplier self-assessments, although these are backed by a lesser number of Marks & Spencer and independent assessments.
We use performance on ethical trading as an indicator of overall performance of new suppliers.
Benchmarking
Our greatest success comes from helping suppliers to help themselves. The setting up of local benchmarking groups has really helped our suppliers make improvements. In Morocco, for example, a benchmarking group has been directly responsible for 1,000 workers completing literacy training. A benefit to the employers and employees alike, this has increased productivity by as much as 15% in some factories where operators can now read instructions rather than rely on close supervision.